How to ditch your cable subscription for under $100

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Shutterstock So you're doing it!

You're finally getting rid of cable TV.

While it's true that there's never been a better time to watch TV, how we watch has changed dramatically.

Instead of sitting down with a bunch of friends to watch the new episode of, well, "Friends," we can now binge-watch entire seasons of new shows from our phone.

The TV itself is still the best screen to use when really getting into a show. (Especially if you've gone 4K and picked up a 5.1 sound bar.) But let's talk about getting content onto that screen without paying a cable company a monthly fee.

For online content: Buy a streaming device

To do this, you're going to need to get content from various online-streaming services onto your TV. If you've already bought a smart TV and actually like how it works, you might be able to skip this step.

Streaming boxes and dongles are everywhere, but because of its lack of expense and small size, I'm going to suggest you specifically opt for Roku's latest streaming stick.

The reason why we continue to hold Roku in such high regard is that unlike its competitors, it's a platform-agnostic company. Amazon, Apple, and Google all have video-streaming products of their own, but they lock out content from their competitors.

Roku takes content from all comers. It's the only non-Amazon-branded streaming hardware maker to have an Amazon Instant Video app, for instance.

Although this particular streaming stick can only output at 1080p, if you're dipping your toe into the waters of cord cutting for the first time, that shouldn't be an issue. You can always upgrade to a higher-end box later on, and leave this stick plugged into another TV.

I've started using a Roku-branded piece of hardware recently, and its remote and interface are easy to use. There are thousands of channels available to you, so whether you're looking to catch up on the latest Netflix original, or more niche programming, you should be all set.

For live TV: Buy an HDTV antenna

Streaming is great, and while many services get the latest episodes of the hottest shows up and ready to stream the day after they air, there's something special about watching something as it comes out. For that, you'll need an HDTV antenna.

I bought a very basic antenna about half a year ago, and I'm still surprised how well it works. I'm recommending a slightly higher-end model (it's stronger, so it should work better and in more areas), but they all work pretty similarly.

To get them to work, all you have to do is find a good location for the antenna (ideally close to, or on, a window), and plug a standard coaxial cable into your TV. Coaxial cable is the specific name of the metal cable many of us have used to connect cable boxes to our TV; it's the same cable and the same port.

Once connected, you have to scan for channels, which can be done through your TV's menu. It's a process that usually takes about five minutes. Because positioning is critically important to how many channels you'll receive (and how well they'll come in), you should try scanning for channels while putting your antenna in a couple of places. That way you can be sure you're getting the best bang for your buck.

These two online resources let you enter in your location and tell you which channels you should be able to receive for free with an antenna. In my case, I'm able to get full, clear HD versions of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, and some local news affiliates. It's not nearl y as many channels as I'd be able to get with a cable subscription, but it's also a small, one-time investment that lets me watch "Bob's Burgers" and the nightly news for free.

How does this stack up to cable?

Pretty well, actually!

Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and smaller, more niche streaming services means there's always something new to watch. The HDTV antenna is also a major plus for those can't-miss live events, like the Oscars or big, prime-time shows like "The Big Bang Theory."

The best part is that after the initial investment of $80 you'll only have to pay for content subscriptions. No equipment rental fees, and no worry that your provider will jack up their rates after the first year or two.

If that means maintaining a basic subscription to Netflix and Hulu, you could get away with spending only $16 a month. Even if you pay for a "Premium Subscription" to both, it'll only set you back $24 a month.

Devoted TV lovers will probably always want a cable subscription, but if you don't live and breathe TV, this is probably going to be enough for you.

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